Andy gets a bit of luck for a change and I'll stop worrying about Tsonga. What the heck happened there? Anyone see it? Is Tsonga just out of gas?

Oh deucy, how I envy you...............Andy's a lock in for the semis now, no disrespect to Kei. Nole is gonna sleep-walk into the semis so this is good because now we will have a more even contest, with both players fairly "rested".

Now it's us Rafans who have to stew over Rafa's match with Berdy...

Vamos Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!

^^ Why would you even be worried? Nadal is going to beat Berdych handily and then will do a repeat in the semis over Federer. The final, however....

Ah wait, I forgot that Del Potro is in Federer's quarter. Hmmm.

Yes, both Murray and Nole will be fresh and ready for the semis. Nishikori did well to get there, but he will not have nearly enough left to beat Andy. I don't know that it was the heat that got Tsonga as much as Nishikori having all the answers. He played some great tennis. Tsonga has no backup plan, much like Sod. He is a ball-basher who relies on his serve and big groundstrokers. He hits hard, harder, hardest. He had no answers. The commentators on espn2 said that he is playing without a coach.

I suggest Tsonga get one! Oh, and Lendl is already taken! :)

rafaisthebest, cease your worrying darling, Rafa will crush Big Bird. You will not even have to borrow our famous sofa :)
NNY, don't even SUGGEST Tsonga should nick our Mr Lendl...;)
alex, this is why I NEVER worry about draws :)

samprallica
, 1/23/12 7:39 AM

Is that a big "cheshire cat" grin I see on your face, samps? I dare not look beyond the quarters given the roadblocks standing in Rafa's way. First Berdy, then Fed or Delpo and if he gets past that, Nole or Andy!

And I thought God was Mallorcan...............

Lendl just crushed his ESPN interview

I'd love to see Del Potro beat Federer in the QFs. As for a potential semi against Rafa, I often say I'd support Rafa against anyone but Nole, but I can't decide who to root for when he plays Del Potro.

Tsonga has more than big serve and big forehand! Didn't you watch him against Fed at WTF last year? He's one of the best aggressive player out there, same as Fed. His net game is one among the best. He may not have approached the net that often this match, Kei deserves his win as he can play his best game under this difficult conditions.

I'm not sure that Nole and Murray will have easy path to the semifinal. Don't discount Hewitt, Ferrer and Nishikori. There may be surprises awaiting us!

Come off it lucky, I really like Kei but after a knackering 5 setter is he really going to beat Andy? Am almost prepared to eat our sofa, not just my words, if he does!

Based on what I've seen so far, Nole and Murray will progress through to the semis with straight set victories in the remainder of their matches. I've been impressed with Lendled Murray, so it'll be interesting to see wha he does in a potential semi against Nole - expecting it to be the best match of this tournament.

Funny how all Muzz's prospective French opponents have fallen off the Eiffel Tower.

deuce - Kei may not beat Murray but may extend him to four or even five sets. The boy can fight. Murray was tested in the first round but has his routine wins over the other opponents. Kei may be the one testing him this time though not beating him.

Isn't it funny that people here are saying that both Murray and Nole will have an easy path to the semi, when along the way there're still some good players awaiting them? I like how the three guys Kei, Hewitt and Ferrer fight, so I know they can each get a set off their opponents.

Funny how Murray's potential hard draw came to be the easiest of the top 4. Certainly with a retirement in round 4 and the easiest opponent in the quarters of the top 4 murray can't complain.

This is why analysing draws in terms of difficulty is not worth much. Murray's draw was potentially the hardest of the top 4 and now when all is done is quarter is the easiest. lol

lucky,

I assume your comment was addressed to me.

Yes, I did watch the match with Tsonga and Fed at WTF. I also watched today's match with Nishikori. No, he wasn't rushing the net. He was trying to beat Nishikori from the baseline. I didn't see that famous aggressive game that you mentioned. I am well aware of all aspects of his game, but I believe that he relies most on his big serve and powerful groundstrokes.

I also think that Tsonga lacks mental strength and the ability to think out there and make adjustments. He could have tried to change his tactics, but every time Nishikori had the answer it was just more of the same from Tsonga. You have to try different tactics if something isn't working.

All I can say is that he did not play the way he is capable of playing. I don't underestimate him at all. I picked him to win in straight sets! He looked awfully one or two-dimensional today and that is what reminded me of Sod. I do think their games are similar. Tsonga is a great athlete who has been playing some great tennis, but it's all for nothing if you don't bring it at the slam.

No question that Nishikori deserved the win. He had a five setter with Benneteau and was having leg cramps at the end. He did well to pull this out. However, I do agree with deuce that he will not have anything left to play a Murray who is in great form. I don't expect Murray to take him lightly. But I do think this will be routine.

Ricky,

Was that a compliment about Lendl? Because I thought that interview was really amazing and enjoyable. It's so nice to see him back in the game in some capacity.

I do think that Nole and Murray could be the best match of the tournament. However, if it's Rafa and Fed that could also prove to be the best. I really hope they all make it through to the semis.

decue - yes, as I agreed when you said it, you were quite right re- the draw.

It really couldn't be better for muzz draw wise. If muzz can maintain his focus and composure he should be just as fresh as nole for the SF.

absolutely no doubt fed now has the toughest path ahead of him - well, he's earned it ;)

lucky@9.33, I agree with that. Kei won't be a push over. He is very quick and very talented. His serve is not gr8, however.
Come on!

Muzz regrets winning easily as he would have loved more time on Laver to get used to it.

Kei is still very much young and rising, but Murray's experience in the slams may prove to be too much for him when they meet. The last meeting, Kei got quite the thrashing.

Although Kei will feel the effects of too many 5 setters in so little time, I think he will still give him a show. If he can get his first serve % up (which is what hurt him vs Tsonga), he will be able to hang in there. Kei's second serve is formidable, at times it is even better than his first (if that makes any sense?!)..

On paper the four top seeds should be the final four. Of course, that's why they are seeded. However, as time has shown again and again, the top 4 getting to the final 4, is no longer common due to the immense amount of competition on the tour.

My prediction this time is Murray in four sets. Although, should Kei be high off the fact that he's the first Japanese male player, and the fact that its his first QF in a slam, it won't surprise me to see him extend the match to five sets.

nadline - frenchmen falling off the eiffel tower? I reckon they saw what happened to Llodra and jumped.
what is it about the french that means on any given day they are capable of being spellbinding or disastrous, without much in between, whatever the sport?

if Kei still has it in him and makes it a five-setter than either one of them has nothing to do against Nole in the semis...so, I am inclined to think Andy will do his best to prevent this match from going distance...and I am sure he will be able to do so...